Name:
Martin Luther King, Jr. Nonfiction Pairing with To Kill a Mockingbird
Compare/Contrast Tools of Rhetoric Across Texts Analysis and Prompt
Essential Questions:
1. How does an author convey his/her viewpoint?
2. What techniques in a persuasive text are effective and why?
3. When and how is it appropriate to challenge the beliefs or values in a society?
BACKGROUND: An author can develop his or her viewpoint through a variety of
methods and strategies. Each choice is specific and aimed at fully developing that
perspective.
TASK: Read Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech and the closing
argument excerpt from To Kill a Mockingbird. Then write an ARGUMENTATIVE essay
that asserts which text makes a more persuasive case for overcoming racism.
PROMPT: Which text makes a more persuasive case for overcoming racism- Martin
Luther King’s Detroit “I Have a Dream” speech or the trial closing argument of Atticus
Finch in a To Kill a Mockingbird?
REQUIREMENTS:
¨ Complete Flee Map (attached behind hard copy of essay)
¨ Include at least six pieces of textual evidence (properly cited) in your essay to
support your analysis
¨ 12 point font (Times, Arial, Tahoma), 1 inch margins, double spaced, typed,
page numbers, MLA heading, and maintain 3rd person point of view
¨ Work and author mentioned in introduction
¨ At least five ELA Terms (as outlined in word bank on organizer page) – this is
what will be highlighted in yellow for strong word choice
¨ Submitted to TurnItIn.com + printed submission turned in during class
¨ Hard copy + properly highlighted (pink, green, blue, yellow)
Due Date: ____________________________________